In an unprecedented move, more than 30 hotel and furnished apartment owners along Jeddah’s Corniche were ordered to pay back customers a combined SR300,000 in excess charges during the 10-day spring break, Mohammed Al-Ameri, executive director of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities in the Makkah region, told Arab News.

Many lodge owners had been found guilty of taking advantage of high demand and setting room rates way beyond their original price in contravention of a circular detailing official prices set by the commission and the Ministry of Commerce.The findings were made during inspection tours conducted by the commission’s teams in Jeddah.

“Inspection teams immediately contacted the visitors and tourists and informed them that the excess money charged would be refunded,” said Al-Ameri. “Our branch in Jeddah had organized inspection tours around the clock in an effort to ensure commitment to pricing and licensing regulations.”

He called on citizens and residents to report price violations on 19988 or by submitting a formal complaint to the commission’s local branch.